Chichester pensioner tricked into handing over cash card

Police would like to speak to a man who was caught on CCTV camera footage in Chichester after a woman was tricked into handing over her bank card

Published:16:52Monday 19 January 2015

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A VICTIM has been conned out of more than £3,000, with Chichester Police releasing CCTV footage in a bid to catch the thief.

The force said it was urging people to be wary after the 76-year-old woman was tricked into handing over her cash card and account details to someone claiming to work for her bank.

The scam happened around 11am on Wednesday (January 14), with a similar attempt also made to con a 90-year-old woman.

According to police, the victim was phoned by a man who convinced her there was a problem with fraud at her bank and that she needed to change her cards.

“She gave the man on the phone her bank details and then a courier arrived at her home in Cedar Drive, Chichester, and took away her cards,” said a spokesman from the police.

“More than £3,000 was taken from her accounts before the alarm was raised.”

Meanwhile, the attempted theft from the 90-year-old was thwarted after her carer turned away the so-called courier when he turned up at her supported housing in the city.

“Police would like to speak to a man who was caught on CCTV camera footage in the city,” said the spokesman, adding they were also keen to speak to anyone who may have been contacted by the offenders and either refused to listen to them or was tricked into giving them their details.

Detective Constable Amanda Gamlin also said: “Under no circumstances would the police or your bank request your PIN number over the telephone or arrange collection of your bank cards from your home address. Never give out your bank details or hand over your bank cards to someone who has contacted you in this way.

“If you have any suspicions, please do not use the phone you have just been called on to contact the police or your bank, in case the offenders are still on the line.

“If possible use another phone to contact the police to report it, contact a friend or relative to alert them or wait for at least half-an-hour before trying to ring.

“If you have elderly or vulnerable friends or neighbours please make them aware of this scam as well so that they do not become a victim.”